Monocacy Valley Athletic League

Washington County is home to several of the top public high school baseball programs in Maryland. Clear Spring often dominates the 1A classification, but this season, the Smithsburg Leopards looked to take over the top spot in Western Maryland. After several years of immediate playoff exits, last year’s team upset the Hancock Panthers 12-2 in the regional quarterfinals, but were eliminated by the Clear Spring Blazers in an 11-8 loss in round two. This spring, the Leopards got off to a solid start. Scoring seven runs in each of their first two games, they held a 2-0 record to begin the season, defeating Governor Thomas Johnson on the road in Frederick County and Martinsburg High in West Virginia. In game three, they lost by just two runs to the future 4A state runner-up, Urbana, but then went on to win their next two games. Contrasting last season’s 0-5 start, Smithsburg was 4-1 to begin this season. Despite a loss to Boonsboro in their next game, the team remained hot, winning all of their next four, including two mercy-rule victories and a 13-12 against South Hagerstown. Boasting an abnormally strong 8-2 record, the Leopards headed down I-70 for their first match on the road against Clear Spring. For the first time to this point, the Leopards were mercy-ruled in five innings, getting shut out in the 12-0 loss. Coming off this game, the team bounced back in a big way. Following an 8-5 loss to Boonsboro earlier in the season, Smithsburg took them down 9-8 in the rematch. Sandwiched between two losses to Brunswick, the Leopards had their regular-season rematch against the Blazers. In game two, Smithsburg flipped the script on the Blazers, mercy-ruling their rivals at home in a 12-2 victory. With another victory against Martinsburg to round out their regular season, the Leopards went into the playoffs as the three-seed in the West-II regional. After taking down Hancock 9-1 in the quarterfinals, Smithsburg was set to face Brunswick for the third time this season. After losing most recently 12-1 to the Railroaders, the Leopards traveled to Brunswick and won the game 4-3. Going into the regional championship, Smithsburg had a toss-up match, taking on Clear Spring for the third time in the season. Most recently, the Leopards defeated the Blazers, but Clear Spring won the first match in a shutout. The game wound up mirroring the second match-up. For the first time since 2014, Smithsburg won the regional championship in a 14-3 mercy-rule victory. In their first state playoff appearance in over a decade, the Leopards were not thought of by many as a tough team to beat. Facing sharp skepticism from people throughout Maryland, the team went into their first game on the opposite side of the state in Worcester County, taking on the fifth-seeded Snow Hill Eagles. Shocking many, the Leopards’ offensive successes continued, as they advanced to the state semi-finals, for just the second time in school history, following the 7-1 win. Just a few days later, they matched up against Western Maryland rival and top-seeded Allegany at McCurdy Field. In a hard-fought game, the Leopards’ playoff run came to an end, as they were defeated 6-3 by the future 1A state champion. The season, despite the heartbreaking ending, had many unprecedented highs. Beyond tying the farthest that any team in program history has reached in the playoffs, junior Gavin Ramarge was selected to the Central Maryland Conference’s First All-Conference Team. Additionally, Eli Bowman and Mason Oates were selected to the Second All-Conference Team while Heath Githens and George Mantz were named Honorable Mentions. Beyond the CMC, pitcher/outfielder George Mantz received the Washington County Athletic Association’s Dennis Reeder Award, honoring the top sophomore out of any public school in the county, while head coach Patrick Moore was named the WCAA Coach of the Year. Headlined by three WCAA Silver Slugger Award recipients and four WCAA Gold Glove winners, the Smithsburg Leopards baseball team was named the WCAA Public School Team of the Year. While the season did not end as many had hoped, it was an incredible season nonetheless.

Coming off of their second consecutive trip to the state semi-finals, Urbana High’s baseball program was looking to go further than ever before and win the 4A state title. Last season, the Hawks were eliminated in the state semis by the sixth-seeded Leonardtown Raiders, who went on to upset top-seeded Walt Whitman and take home the title. In the spring of 2023, Urbana reached the state championship but committed six errors in a three-run loss to Sherwood. Head coach Mike Frownfelter explained that his team “just hasn’t gotten over that hump to win a state championship as a program,” but was confident that this year could have been the year. In the first five games of the season, Urbana got off to a blazing start. Not only did they open the season 5-0, but in three of those games, the team scored at least ten runs while having one mercy rule win. In the next game, the Hawks were head-scratchingly held to just one run in the next two games. Against Oakdale, Coach Frownfelter credited an amazing outing by University of Charleston commit JP Shultz, but explained that against Middletown, the team “just never had good at-bats,”. After the two uncharacteristic losses, the team found itself in Morgantown, West Virginia, for a two-day overnight spring break tournament. This team bonding experience was unlike anything that could happen in school or practices, leading Coach Frownfelter to believe that the trip served as a wake-up call for the team. Coming back from the break, the Hawks went on to lose just one more game, getting revenge on Oakdale by way of a 7-6 home win to finish out the season. It took a walk-off single in the bottom of the tenth inning by sophomore Jae Peak for Urbana to get the victory, but that win was the culmination of "two strong teams playing against each other in an intense back-and-forth battle," explained Coach Frownfelter. To kick off their deep playoff run, Urbana defeated Frederick in a 13-3 mercy rule victory in the regional semifinals. In their regional championship game, the Hawks matched up against Governor Thomas Johnson High, against whom they split two regular-season games. Coach Frownfelter was nervous going into the game, citing normal postseason jitters. Despite this, his squad shut out the Patriots, advancing to the state playoffs with a 6-0 victory. Following a 9-3 victory in the first round against Richard Montgomery, four-seeded Urbana was set to face the top 4A team, the Broadneck Bruins. Regarded by many as the top team out of any classification, the Hawks had a steep mountain to climb if they wanted to reach the championship, as they needed to take down the Bruins. Urbana’s offense was very strong from the beginning against Broadneck, holding a 5-1 lead in the early innings, but Broadneck climbed back to tie the game at five by the end of seven. It took until the thirteenth inning for Urbana to take the lead on a controversial fair-foul call, but they led by one and held on for the thrilling 7-6 upset. “You have to tip your cap to Broadneck, they are an amazing program and we were lucky enough to come out on top,” said Coach Frownfelter. In their second state championship appearance in the last three years, the Hawks knew that they had to play at their best to take down Walter Johnson. Evan Zarroli started on the mound for the Hawks and was dominant from the beginning. Aidan Welch drove in two early runs for Urbana, and they scored two more on a fielding error, giving them a 4-0 lead after three and a half. However, Walter Johnson’s offense hit a spark and forced Urbana to make several errors, leading to a 4-4 tie. After a couple more back-and-forth innings, in the bottom of the seventh, Walter Johnson hit a walk-off double to win the championship 7-6. Coach Frownfelter chalked the loss up to the team having just a few days off after playing nearly two full games in one day, with the semi-final game going to thirteen innings. Despite the loss in the title game, Coach Frownfelter is extremely proud of his team and incredibly thankful for his assistant coaches. With just four seniors departing this season, eleven current juniors taking over the team in 2026, and an undefeated JV season, he still believes that Urbana is “one of the top programs in the state of Maryland,” and he can’t wait to hopefully make it back to Bowie in 2026.

On May 23, the four-seeded Urbana Hawks met the three-seeded Walter Johnson Wildcats at Prince George’s Stadium, the home of the Chesapeake Baysox, to match up in the 4A baseball state championship. In the semi-finals, Walter Johnson shut out the Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders 10-0, while Urbana upset the top-seeded Broadneck Bruins 9-7 in 13 innings. Urbana got off to a promising start in this matchup. With two outs in the top of the first, Billy Swaney was walked while Jake Allen was hit with the next pitch. Walter Johnson was able to get out of the inning as the Hawks stranded two on base. In the top of the second, the Hawks opened the scoring in the match. DJ Staub Jr. was hit by the first pitch of the inning and Tristan Vetter hit an infield single with one out. With runners on second and third after Vetter advanced on defensive indifference, Aidan Welch singled on a line drive to center field, bringing in both runners for Urbana. Trying to respond to the 2-0 deficit, Shaun Rudick led off the bottom half with a line drive into left field and got to second base with a double. Andreas Johnson fought back from being down 0-2 to earn a walk, and Zachary Roach singled on a single into center field. With the bases loaded and two outs, Nolan Ross grounded into a fielder's choice, and Roach was out at second base. Neither team produced anything in the third inning, but Urbana piled on in the top of the fourth. After Tristan Vetter was hit by a pitch and both Landon Lee and Aidan Welch singled, Kayden Lipscomb grounded the ball to third base with the bases loaded. As Walter Johnson’s Ethan Pletter tried to gun the runner at home, he overthrew the catcher, and two runs scored on the error, giving Urbana a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, led off the inning with a line drive single, and Sam Weston was walked on four pitches. With one out, Andreas Johnson singled, and Walter Johnson scored their first run as the throw from left field got past the Urbana catcher. In the next at bat, Zachary Roach grounded a ball to shortstop, but Kayden Lipscomb threw the ball away to first, and two runs scored for the Wildcats on the error. The Wildcats kept the offense rolling in the bottom of the fifth as Ethan Pletter drove a ball deep into right field. The ball looked wedged under the wall, but no dead-ball call from the umpire allowed Pletter to score on an inside-the-park home run. With the game tied, Urbana answered fiercelymmm in the top of the sixth. Tristan Vetter, Aidan Welch, and Kayden Lipscomb were all walked, Jake Allen singled on a hard grounder into right field, scoring Urbana’s fifth and sixth runs and giving them back the lead. Down two runs with just six offensive outs left, Sam Weston opened the bottom of the sixth with a walk, and Andreas Johnson reached on an error by Urbana third baseman Ryan Yagesh. On the first pitch of the next at bat, Zachary Roach hit a hard ground ball into left field, driving in one run for the Wildcats. With two outs and runners on the corners, Urbana reliever Kyan Montano spiked a pitch, and Zachary Roach scored the tying run for the Wildcats. With a runner on third, Ethan Pletter laid down a bunt, and Montano threw him out at first, stranding one and sending this game tied into the seventh. With two outs in the top half, Tristan Vetter laced his second hit of the game, reaching for the third time. To follow up te single, Jae Peak sent one of his own into right field. However, the Hawks were unable to drive any in. With a chance to pocket the state championship, Walter Johnson’s Ethan Hsu singled into center field to lead off the inning. After bringing in pinch runner Grant Matalia, a ball got past the Urbana catcher. With a runner on second and no outs, Shaun Rudick hit a line drive into the right center field gap, scoring the winning run for Walter Johnson. The 4A championship game ended with Walter Johnson taking down Urbana 7-6. For the Wildcats, Andrew Joncas earned the win, going 1.2 innings on 34 pitches. The reliever gave up no runs on three hits while picking up four strikeouts. On the other side of the ball, Kyan Montano was tagged with the loss, throwing just an inning, giving up one unearned run (none earned) on two hits. Congratulations to both teams for reaching this momentous game.

Varsity baseball beats Brunswick in a tough matchup. The Lions built up a 4 run lead in the second inning and then held the Railroaders off for a 7-6 victory. Colton Amoriell went 2/4, 2 3B’s, 2 RBI’s, 2 Runs Scored Jackson Carr 3/4, 1 RBI, 1 Run Scored Max Birth 2/3 Parker Newton GW 2 RBI Single Joe Davio took the hill for the Lions and had 4.1 IP, 2 ER Ian Gensits closed out the game with 2.2 IP, 0 runs the Lions play Catoctin tomorrow 4/23 at Walkersville

Century defeated Harford Tech 1-0 in 8 innings in an out of conference game. CJ Scism started for the Cobras pitching 5 innings, allowing 1 hit while striking out six batters and walking none. Brody Hall came in and pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief allowing 1 hit while striking out one. Tyler Walp earned the loss starting the eighth inning. He allowed one run in 2/3 of an inning: allowing 1 hit, walking three and striking out one. Ryan Walto recorded the last out pitching 1/3 of an inning. The Cobras left nine men on base as they were only able to muster three hits: Zach Lane 1 for 4 with a stolen base; Sam Roney 1 for 3 with a walk; and Josh Hays 1 for 3. Century only had 3 hits also, but Evans was 1 for 1 with a single driving in Grimsley who led the 8th inning off with a walk and who was sacrificed to second by Rekus with a clutch sac-bunt. Schulze was 1 for 3 and Welsh was 1 for 4.

Andrew Brinn hit a home run

The Lions win a tough battle vs Williamsport GoGo Ogwulu had 2 hits (single and a double) 2 RBI's and 2 stolen bases. Parker Newton collected 2 hits and 2 RBI's for the Lions Ian Gensits, Max Birth, and Colton Amoriell each had 1 hit in the contest. Garrison Abrecht had a hit and scored 3 runs Wyant New started on the bump going 5 innings and giving up only 2 runs on 2 hits and striking out 2 The Lions play the Tuscarora Titans on 4/9

Andrew Brinn walk off 2-run home-run in the bottom of the 7th!

Lions loose a tough one to Oakdale 7-5 Lions collect 11 hits but still fall short. Jackson Carr, GoGo Ogwulu, Garrison Abrecht, and Max Birth each collected two hits for the Lions. Garrison Abrecht led the group by going 2 for 2 with a Home Run and 2 RBI's. Joe Davio got the start on the mound and allowed only 3 hits and 2 runs in four innings. The Lions will take on Catoctin this Wednesday on the road

The Walkersville baseball team opens the season with a 2-0 victory over FSK. Ian Gensits, Wyatt New and Carson Gay held the Screaming eagles scoreless for the seven innings.

THE 2024 3A State Champions had their first scrimmage of the 2025 season yesterday against Century High. The Magruder Colonels had a great run last year, ending with a record of 15 wins and 5 losses. The Varsity Baseball team has many great talents that have led the team to success. Despite having many great players and hard-working athletes, there is one person who could not enjoy the same feeling as the rest of his teammates. Last year, Junior Jackson Branch experienced a left tibia injury which led him to be unable to compete with his teammates. Branch was out for 6 weeks, While pitching his first game back, he broke the front of his left tibia and needed surgery. Currently, Branch dislocated his right kneecap first scrimmage back playing first base. Branch has been through a series of injuries and months of physical therapy which did not allow him to be able to play with his teammates. Branch states," When I was sidelined it changed me to be a more mentally stronger person and it was very hard to accept the fact that I couldn't play for the whole year. I was upset and depressed." Branch's family, friends, and teammates were extremely supportive throughout his injuries which led him to believe that everything would get better because of the people who surrounded him with love and reassurance. Long-term injuries aren't easy and they can completely change a person. As well as impacting the confidence of athletes who go through this long process. Branch states," When I first started my physical therapy journey, I was scared I was going to get hurt again. But my physical therapist reassured me that I would be okay and we went very slow to begin with. I slowly gained my confidence back by doing all the exercises especially baseball. When I played my first game 100% in the fall, I was extremely nervous. My first bat back, I got a hit and that's when my confidence began to come back." We will see what the Colonels bring this season and hopefully be able commence the journey in becoming 2 time state champions!! The first official game of the regular season is March 21st, 2025 at 3:45 vs Walter Johnson, so POP OUT AND CHEER ON THE COLONELS!!!!

Photo: Alexander Dacy

Middletown clinched a 2-1 victory over Patuxent in a nail-biting 13-inning Class 2A semifinal on Tuesday night! Middletown is set to face Glenelg at Waldorf's Regency Furniture Stadium on Saturday for the championship.

In a league where each team plays every other team twice per year, rivalries and tight finishes are bound to occur as the season progresses. This year Liberty, Westminster, and Century High School can all win the title. Today Westminster and Century will battle, and the loser will most likely fall out of the race with 6 losses. Liberty and Century will face off twice this week and next week, and Century may need to win both games to keep Liberty within striking distance. The Lions are 9-3 coming off a 15-3 victory against Winters Mill. Winning out means Liberty wins the title, but Century can have a say in that fate. Stay in the Zone for all the standings as we get closer to playoff season!

Two close games, two wins for Governor Thomas Johnson against Frederick. The highlight of the day came in game two when Kaden Hnath put the nail in the coffin with a walk-off, winning 6-5!🏆🔥 twitter.com/TJ_PatriotsBSB/status/1780742931176985040…

Hunter Barnes threw a shutout to lead Middletown Varsity Knights past Urbana 3-0 on Friday. The pitching was strong on both sides. Barnes struck out eight, while Urbana pitchers sat down ten. Middletown Varsity Knights opened up scoring in the first inning, when Joey Nicholson singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. A single by A Gonzalez in the third inning was a positive for Urbana. Barnes got the win for Middletown Varsity Knights. Barnes went seven innings, allowing zero runs on four hits, striking out eight and walking one. K Johnson took the loss for Urbana. Johnson went four innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out five. Middletown Varsity Knights totaled seven hits in the game. Camren Baker and Nicholson all had multiple hits for Middletown Varsity Knights. Nicholson and Baker each collected two hits to lead Middletown Varsity Knights. Middletown Varsity Knights was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Andrew Raymond made the most plays with eight. A Purcell went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Urbana in hits. countysports.zone/scores/view/1z-bf8W2J63HIkHqTkJiW

Ryan DeSanto throws a no hitter countysports.zone/scores/view/gtfhVcqZKJPopaQRZv7I8

Ben Coleman threw 6 1/3 of shut out baseball. countysports.zone/scores/view/KPAP_DYSD1666Lpmp7P1Y

Jack Surdez throws a No Hitter for the Frederick High Cadets countysports.zone/scores/view/nH5TcdBqD4XF9H4Y1Jt1U